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This triggered the war because when the war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia the other countries part of the Alliance declared war on each other

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Rivalries in Europe led each country to seek friends for their protection Two rival alliances were established
The triple alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
The triple Entente: France, Russia and Britain

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Countries put their national interests over anything else
European countries wanted to assert themselves and their national identity

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Britain had the largest navy, responsible for protecting its empire
If Germany were to have an overseas empire, it would also need a strong navy
Britain saw Germany’s navy build-up as a challenge to its dominance of the seas
The two countries began a race to see who could build the biggest navy Germany raced against France and Russia to develop the largest and best-equipped army
The naval and arms races increased tension and hostility in Europe

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In the early 1900’s, Britain and France controlled large empires (known as Imperialism), with colonies in Asia and Africa
German leaders wanted their own colonies, sources of raw materials for expanding German industries
Since most territories has already been conquered, this brought Germany in conflict with Britain and France

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By 1871, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, had united most German speaking people into a new nation wanting recognition as a major power